fleet to the opposite shore of Scutari. When they found themselves

discovered they discharged their muskets, and some came to the front to

cover the others, whose crews, exerting all their strength, endeavoured to

escape with their light barks from among the dark hulls that environed

them. They were in the end all sunk, and, with the exception of two or

three prisoners, the crews drowned. Little could be got from the survivors;

but their cautious answers caused it to be surmised that several

expeditions had preceded this last, and that several Turks of rank and

importance had been conveyed to Asia. The men disdainfully repelled the

idea of having deserted the defence of their city; and one, the youngest

among them, in answer to the taunt of a sailor, exclaimed, "Take it,

Christian dogs! take the palaces, the gardens, the mosques, the abode of

our fathers--take plague with them; pestilence is the enemy we fly; if

she be your friend, hug her to your bosoms. The curse of Allah is on

Stamboul, share ye her fate."

Such was the account sent by Karazza to Raymond: but a tale full of

monstrous exaggerations, though founded on this, was spread by the

accompanying troop among our soldiers. A murmur arose, the city was the

prey of pestilence; already had a mighty power subjugated the inhabitants;

Death had become lord of Constantinople.

I have heard a picture described, wherein all the inhabitants of earth were

drawn out in fear to stand the encounter of Death. The feeble and decrepid

fled; the warriors retreated, though they threatened even in flight. Wolves

and lions, and various monsters of the desert roared against him; while the

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The Last Man